Orangutan in Indonesia Uses Medicinal Plant to Heal Wound

Published: 02 May 2024 at 15:21

Science

A Sumatran orangutan named Rakus in Indonesia self-medicated by using a plant paste to heal a wound on his cheek, a behavior never before observed in the wild. Scientists believe this behavior stems from a common ancestor shared with humans and great apes. Rakus chewed on a plant called Akar Kuning, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, applying it to his wound over a month. The wound healed without any signs of infection, indicating Rakus understood the medicinal properties of the plant.